Top reasons why Toronto is the ultimate stopover city

(BPT) – Picture yourself in a small café, sipping coffee with patrons cheering in Portuguese as a Brazilian soccer game plays on the television. Blocks away you stop by an Italian butcher shop for some prosciutto. As you walk you see more unique stores and hear people speaking over 20 different languages, from French to Hebrew. Outside your hotel at night the green and red lights blaze through the streets, announcing the latest theatrical runs and shows.

Many people may think this is a description of London, Paris or New York, but it’s all part of the vibrant magic of one of the most multicultural cities in the world: Toronto.

Why Toronto?

Anyone who spends time in Toronto can give you a list of reasons why you should visit. From upscale boutiques to international designers, the city’s world-class shopping is matched only by the variety of cuisine found in its many fine-dining establishments.

Then there is the sheer diversity of the city. A visitor can walk through Toronto and feel as though they’ve traveled to a dozen different countries.

With Air Canada rapidly expanding its service, currently offering over 200 destinations worldwide and daily service from over 50 U.S. cities, Toronto is both a top vacation destination and a major hub for international travel.

A major reason for this is that travelers connecting in Toronto Pearson International Airport do not have to go through Canadian customs on the way to their final destination. In addition, travelers can take a shortcut and clear U.S. Customs and Immigration while in Canada. This advantage allows them to avoid the long lines when arriving in the U.S.

Business travelers

Anyone who has traveled for business knows there isn’t always time to squeeze relaxation time into the trip. But more than ever, business professionals are realizing the importance of combining business with pleasure, something that has been dubbed, “bleisure travel.”

In this spirit, Air Canada’s exclusive Toronto Stopover program gives US travelers flying through Toronto the opportunity to take up to a week to explore the city before traveling to their final destination, at no extra cost.

Couple this with the seamlessness of travel and well-timed connections with airports throughout the world, and you have an easy way to explore one of the world’s most diverse cities.

Now, even if work has kept you from fully enjoying your business trip, you can spend a few days in Toronto eating, shopping and exploring neighborhoods like Greektown or Koreatown, all on your way home.